Sergio Pellicer appeared this afternoon in the press room of La Rosaleda accompanied by the club's judicial administrator, José María Muñoz, and the sports director, Manolo Gaspar. The coach announced his goodbye to Malaga, assuring that he had taken “The most difficult decision on a personal and professional level. The heart dictates something else, but it is true that the head, when one gives everything and has no more, it is time to step aside. It is the most difficult decision. My daughter asked me: 'Dad, have you thought it through?”, Explained the technician before thanking each and every one of the bodies of the entity for their work and collaboration during this year and a half and submitting to questions from the accredited media.
When did you decide to leave Malaga and why ?: “I have it all here. It is my comfort zone. It is the most difficult decision. I have not been able to transfer it until it was mathematically, here the collective has always prevailed. I have spoken with Manolo, with José María and they gave me their time. It is a very difficult situation, personal and professional at the same time. There is no strange situation, but it is no longer a question of wear, work, emptiness, it has been a very hard year. There is no more, I have it all here. In a better place it will be impossible. The most important thing in such traumatic decisions is to be calm with yourself. We have given the last drop of sweat and the last drop of blood and we will continue to do so until the last game ”.
When did you communicate your decision to the club ?: “Last week was when we had the meeting, we talked about the situation and I discussed it with both José María and Manolo.”
How do you think the fans will take it ?: “The most painful thing is that, because of the fans. This group of players and we were only able to enjoy four games from the fans last year and this year not at all. We miss them. The fans must be very proud of this working group. Let them think that not only Pellicer, but we have all given everything. One can leave with a very clear conscience. Life goes on. The club will continue. When one is in a situation that is not to give one hundred percent, the easiest thing is to take a step to the side. It is very complicated, I have everything here. My family is from here, I am from here, adopted, but the fans will understand. The most important thing is that we have given everything. This Malaga of today has nothing to do with the one of a few years ago ”.
What kind of wear leads you to take a step to the side ?: “It is not a question of wear and tear, I think the cycle is over on my part. Wear above all is beyond, behind a professional there is a person. We each know what one carries inside. We will continue giving everything until the end and there is no more. This continues and there is no other explanation ”.
Professional future: “We have 12 days, three games, I have spoken with the players and that no one doubts the dedication and the hours of work that we are going to do to finish the season and put a finishing touch that both the fans and this group deserve. of players. From the age of 15, in this profession, both a player and a coach, at this time you never know what can happen. Right now there is nothing and I am focused on preparing the game tomorrow and ending up all competing at the highest level. Then there is a lot of debate behind the circumstances that have arisen, but my mind is on what we have left and then we will see what can happen ”.
Best moment of this year and a half on the bench: “I am not left with any moment, I am left with the dedication of my players in all this time and of the people who are here next door. You don't know half the effort that this group of players and those of last year have made. I'll take the return trip from Tenerife, we looked at each other's faces and some are gone. And we thought about winning Castellón and we won. And we received Alcorcón and we won. I stay with the group of players because they know the effort and sacrifice they carry ”.
Medium-term Málaga tour: “A year and a half ago we saw very little future for him, at a sports, social and institutional level. Now there is a future with much more light than a year and a half ago, which were all shadows. I said it after the match against Oviedo. By club, fans and history, he deserves to have the resources to be able to fight for more. The celebration of permanence for me is a promotion. Steps are being taken and in the not too distant future, I hope it is near, I may be fighting for what this club deserves, its history and its fans ”.
At what point are you clear that your cycle at Malaga is over ?: “We have always thought about the day-to-day, until when the possibility of continuing in the project appeared and from there we began to think. There has not been a date. The most important thing for us was the next game, I have never thought about the future. The competition is a crusher, that's why I say that for me it is a promotion due to all the circumstances that have been lived. Once both Manolo and José María communicate it to me, my heart said one thing and my head said another. It was a very tough personal decision. It is very difficult to find what I have here ”.
Did you put any conditions to renew ?: “There has been nothing, no conditions, the club offered me the renewal and from there there have been no conditions. I know where I come from, where we are going and from the greatest humility, we have all always thought for the good of the club. The individual ego in this case of mine has been on the side. The club is above all ”.
What has been the main aspect that led you to make this decision ?: “You have to be honest and honest with yourself and when you are, give your all. I have everything here, a group of beastly players, a great relationship with José María, with the sports management, with the coaching staff, Josemi, the doctors, the 'Pichitas'… ”.
A month ago he said that he wanted to continue for many years …: “It is what we have talked about. This is a roller coaster of constantly having emotional balance and being prepared. There's no more. It is a great change of sensations. It is not a question of not believing, I believe a lot in my players. It is a personal matter. The invisible inside each one gives sensations in which it is necessary to differentiate the personal and the professional. I don't want to inquire further, but it is a very tough personal situation. It is neither an economic issue, nor a contract issue, nor a player issue… Manolo and I talked about it ”.
Why is your response to the renewal offer delayed ?: “They made the offer, it was last week when we spoke and there has been no more. It is repetitive, it is true that it is all a roller coaster but when you give your all you have to be absolutely calm. We are people, we have feelings and it is the most difficult decision, personally and professionally. Transparency has been clear to all parties. There has been no negotiation, economic issue, we have worked together, we have been one. The decision is personal and in these situations little can be done. I've been with a very large backpack for a long time. Since it happened, we began to value it and now it is true that we have announced it when it has been all mathematical “.